Balau decking problems after 6 months
Discussion
Air needs to circulate around the boards, there should not be membrane between board and the joists underneath.
Also, the boards should be secured to every joist / support, these should be something like 300mm apart. So a 3m board would be fixed around 10 times along its length.
Who fitted it?
Also, the boards should be secured to every joist / support, these should be something like 300mm apart. So a 3m board would be fixed around 10 times along its length.
Who fitted it?
Yep, thats your issue, why on earth would you lay the membrane on top of the joists and directly under the decking, very odd.
A) it will trap the moisture and the underside of the boards will be wetter for longer, allowing the top to dry out and warp
B) The idea of the gaps in decking is to allow rubbish, leaves, rain, dust etc to fall, so with the membrane this will catch it all and again hold the moisture more.
A) it will trap the moisture and the underside of the boards will be wetter for longer, allowing the top to dry out and warp
B) The idea of the gaps in decking is to allow rubbish, leaves, rain, dust etc to fall, so with the membrane this will catch it all and again hold the moisture more.
Pj1972 said:
Awesome thinking btw with capturing the video photo footage, Im gonna try and set up cctv and do the same its a fantastic idea.This is just my opinion and ill probably get stick from builders/tradesmen again..... but when or if they are doing a repair job just pop out there and make sure they are doing it right and sticking the membrane down first or what ever the proper solution is.
You have a nice patio and garden, prefer the decking myself just think it gives character over patio slabs and concrete.
Pj1972 said:
ok thanks, glad we found the culprit. So any idea what can be done now if this is membrane is removed? Can i rectify those cupped boards? Could they be turned round , grooved side facing up for some time to see if they sort themselves out?
You could sort through the boards and pick out any reusable ones, but if you introduce new boards to make up the shortfall it will look like a bit of a patchwork quilt. Once timber of that width has cupped, warped or bent, you won’t be able to persuade it to straighten again however many fixings you put in it. As others have said, it needs plenty of air circulating around it to keep it stable ( as does the carcassing framework beneath it )
Ok was hoping for some better news. I'll check today a few boards it rained yesterday. I'll check back with the supplier about the membrane and then talk to the fitter at the weekend.
I'm thinking it maybe the whole centre section that needs replacing. The smaller planks that were screwed down 30cm spaced apart seem ok. The larger were more like 50-60cm spacing. That's a good few grand of materials there. Perhaps I could oil the good part and get them to lay new down in the autumn when it's not in use so much.
Gutted, we spent thousands on the house renovation and that patio was the last of our savings. Had issue with floor inside the house and now this. And the installer came from a recommendation of my neighbour who ironically went for composite boards that I suggested to him but I couldnt afford in the end. Wish I had now :-(
I'm thinking it maybe the whole centre section that needs replacing. The smaller planks that were screwed down 30cm spaced apart seem ok. The larger were more like 50-60cm spacing. That's a good few grand of materials there. Perhaps I could oil the good part and get them to lay new down in the autumn when it's not in use so much.
Gutted, we spent thousands on the house renovation and that patio was the last of our savings. Had issue with floor inside the house and now this. And the installer came from a recommendation of my neighbour who ironically went for composite boards that I suggested to him but I couldnt afford in the end. Wish I had now :-(
Herbs said:
Id push for the whole lot to be replaced - it's got to come up anyway for the membrane to be relaid and if you are replacing a section, you will notice it as it will weather at a different rate to the rest.
Absolutely ! No ways would I be accepting ‘some’ boards replaced and not all. There will always be at least 6 months aging difference between old and new boards which WILL annoy you give the large sum you paid for it. Personally I would tell the installers it’s not installed correctly and the lot needs redoing either through his company insurance or his own pocket. I would not be accepting a patch job.
Fb
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